Which specialist treats tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow, also called lateral elbow tendinopathy, affects the tendon attachment on the outer elbow. The clinician asks about gripping, lifting and repeated wrist use, then checks tenderness, movement and strength. Forearm pain and a weak grip can fit this pattern, but similar symptoms may come from the neck, nerves or another elbow problem. Diagnosis is usually based on the history and examination; imaging is used when findings are unusual or recovery is not progressing.

Begin with an orthopaedic, sports-medicine or physiotherapy appointment if pain is limiting work, sport or daily tasks. Reduce the specific gripping or lifting load without keeping the arm completely still. A physiotherapist can build progressive strengthening and adjust technique or equipment. Depending on the assessment, a doctor may discuss an elbow support, medicines, shockwave therapy, PRP injection or cortisone injection. These choices have different benefits and limitations, so selection should follow an examination.

Arrange a review if pain continues despite sensible load changes, grip strength is declining, or symptoms keep returning. Seek prompt care after a fall with marked swelling or deformity, or if the hand becomes numb, unusually cold or difficult to move. Neck pain with spreading arm weakness also warrants medical assessment because the source may not be the elbow.

Ask which tendon or structure is causing the symptoms, what loads to modify, and how strengthening should progress. Discuss whether a brace or procedure is appropriate, how long to try rehabilitation before reassessment, and which symptoms would suggest a neck or nerve problem instead.